Safety Advice for Every Resident

Safety Knowledge is Power

Many people are victims of crime. Often times, there are steps that people can take to protect themselves and reduce the risk of becoming victimized. The following are crime prevention tips that the Arcadia Police Department encourages residents to adopt to protect themselves and their property from theft or damage.

Because of the variety of ATMs, the unique characteristics of each installation, and crime considerations at each location, no single formula can guarantee the security of ATM customers. Therefore, it is necessary for ATM customers to consider the environment around each ATM and various procedures for remaining safe when using an ATM.

Criminals select their victims and targets, focusing on the unaware or unprepared. Criminals are also drawn to environmental conditions that enhance the opportunity to successfully complete their crime. The attitude and demeanor you convey can have a tremendous effect on potential assailants. There are a number of things you can do to increase your personal security and reduce your risk of becoming an ATM crime victim.

The following crime prevention tips can help make the use of ATM’s safer for everyone:

Walk purposefully and with confidence. Give the appearance that you are totally aware of your surroundings.

Be aware of your environment and what is going on around you. Criminals tend to avoid people who have this type of demeanor.

Perform mental exercises and plan out what you would do in different crime or personal security situations.

Follow your instincts. If you feel you are in danger, respond immediately. Remember that your personal safety is the top priority.

ATM Selection Considerations:

The law sets minimum standards for ATM lighting, procedures for evaluating the safety of ATM's and requires notices to ATM users outlining basic safety precautions for using ATM's. Although ATM environmental design issues are covered in the law, there are other considerations that an ATM customer needs to consider prior to selecting and using an ATM, for example:

Select an ATM that is in a well-lit, well-traveled location.

Whenever possible, select an ATM that is monitored or patrolled by a security officer.

Considerations Prior to/During Transactions:

Always watch for suspicious persons or activity around an ATM. Be aware of anyone sitting in a parked car in close proximity to or at a distance from the ATM location.

If you notice anything strange, leave and return some other time. Even if you have already started a transaction, cancel it and leave.

If using a deposit envelope, keep a supply of deposit envelopes at home, in your car or office. Prepare all transaction paperwork prior to your arrival at the ATM site. This will minimize the amount of time spent at the ATM.

Maintain an awareness of your surroundings throughout the entire transaction. Do not become so involved with your transaction that you are not aware of changing conditions in the area.

Do not wear expensive jewelry or take other valuables to the ATM. This is an added incentive to an assailant.

If you get cash - put it away right immediately. Do not stand at the ATM and count it!

Never accept offers of assistance with the ATM from strangers; ask the bank for help.

Never lend your ATM card to anyone; treat it as if were cash or a credit card.

If you use a drive-up ATM, ascertain your vehicle doors and windows are locked.

During evening hours consider taking a companion along, park close to the ATM in a well-lighted area and lock your car. If the lights around the ATM are not working properly, do not use it.

When leaving an ATM location make sure you are not being followed. If you are being followed, drive immediately to a police, sheriff or fire station, crowded area, well-lighted location or open business. Flash your lights and sound your horn to bring attention to your situation.

If you are involved in a confrontation and the attacker is armed with a weapon and demands your money or valuables, GIVE IT TO THE SUSPECT. Do not resist, property may be recovered later or replaced. Your life is worth more than your property!

A home intrusion occurs every 13 seconds in the United States. Purchase a safe to protect the valuable belongings inside your home. Do some research on what kind of safe you should buy before you make your purchase, and most importantly, make sure your safe is properly installed and bolted down to the floor (with triple hard plates and thick 2-4" locking bolts between the door and walls of the safe are best) so that burglars will NOT be able to remove it during the commission of their crime. Invest in a quality safe - one that intruders won't have the time or expertise to break.

The type of items you want to store inside your safe can determine what safe is the right fit for you. Below are the most common things people like to store in their safes. Keep these in mind when deciding on size and fire resistance:

Buying and selling items on the Internet has become popular and easy to do with the abundance of mobile apps available today. APD has a designated Internet Exchange "MeetUp" spot at the police station located at 250 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007. The lot has video surveillance and is adjacent to the police station in the south west corner of the parking lot. Our staff does not specifically monitor the camera feed, but like all our feeds, it is view-able live and is recorded. Officers will not mediate or participate in exchanges, but will respond if needed for criminal or suspicious activity.

Here are some tips for conducting a safe Internet exchange:

Arrange for the exchange during daylight hours.

Always meet in a visible, public area, preferably with recorded surveillance.

Avoid transactions at your home and NEVER allow strangers into your home.

Know the value of items being bought or sold. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Bring a friend along.

Tell someone else where you will be and how long you are expected to be there.

If the person is not will to meet at the police station, the transaction probably was not meant to be!

Fraud Considerations

Memorize your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Do not write it down or keep it in your wallet or purse. Do not tell anyone else your PIN NUMBER!

Shield the ATM keypad from anyone who may be standing or parked nearby or anyone crowding you in an attempt to view your PIN and/or transaction. Use your body as a shield if necessary while you enter your access code.

Make sure you retain your transaction receipt. Do not throw the receipt away at the ATM site.

The National Consumers League has opened a toll-free number to provide information on ATM frauds and scams. The National Fraud Information Center at 1-800-876-7060 employs counselors who will refer consumers to the proper agency for reporting a fraud or scam.

Immediately report any stolen or lost ATM card to the proper entities.

Hide It, Lock It, Keep It

Many thieves look for easy and inviting targets when it comes to selecting a vehicle to burglarize or steal from. It is up to you to make every effort to prevent your car from being targeted. Hide It! Lock It!! Keep It!!! Here are some basic tips that will make your vehicle a little less inviting to a thief:

LOCK your car!

Always park in well lighted areas.

Install motion lights in your driveway.

Install and use a vehicle alarm.

DO NOT leave valuables in plain view.

Never leave your purse or wallet in the car.

Leave all items of value at home if possible.

Look around when you park. Notice anyone or anything suspicious?

Write down license plates and descriptions.

Alert on-site security or staff and CALL the police.

Many auto burglaries or thefts from cars occur right in a residential driveway and too often it is because the vehicle was never locked. Arrests of some suspects have revealed they only target cars that have been left unlocked - walking up and down a street trying car doors all the way. Take the time to roll your windows up and secure your vehicle.

Other thieves target victims by watching what is placed inside a trunk or hatch. If you plan on stopping by the gym, park, or elsewhere after work, take the time before you leave to place your belongings safely in the trunk. Don't wait until you park to then transfer your laptop, purse, bag, or briefcase to the trunk. Thieves may be watching and targeting your car.

Some of the most common items stolen are backpacks, briefcases, duffle bags, cell phones, lap tops, money/coins, sunglasses, and other items that are valuable or may contain valuables. Don’t leave any of these, or other valuable items in plain view. Hide them, take them with you, or lock them in the trunk.

These are just a few tips to help prevent you from becoming a victim of auto burglary. Be proactive, look around, and most importantly, don't hesitate to call the police if you see something or someone suspicious. Don't become a victim!

Identity Theft Prevention

Identity theft is a crime where a criminal assumes someone else's identity for profit. It is becoming increasingly common in developed countries, especially the U.S. There is a multitude of ways your identity can be stolen. A few are listed below:

Contact card carriers (such as health insurance) who use your social security number as identification and ask if they can use a different identification number.

Carry ONLY those credit cards you use regularly, and cancel all unused credit cards.

Keep an accurate list of all credit cards and bank accounts including name, mailing address and telephone number of creditor, the account number, and expiration date. Update the list regularly and keep it in a secure place.

Destroy pre-approved credit card solicitations, contact all three major credit-reporting bureaus in writing and “opt-out” of pre-screening lists.

As a California resident, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report each year. Exercise this right, and check your credit report closely for accuracy.

Do not use your year of birth or other easily identifiable code as a password or PIN for credit cards or ATM machines. Do not allow others to closely view you as you enter your password or PIN.

Destroy all credit card and ATM receipts, do not discard them in banks or retail establishments.

If you suspect that your mail is being stolen or tampered with, contact your local post office or postal inspector.

Never give your PIN number out to someone over the telephone, even if they say that they work for the bank or financial company in question.

Use encryption software when transferring personal identifying information over the Internet.

Be very cautious about sending personal identifying information over the Internet.

If you See Something, Say Something!

If you See Something, Say Something. Immediately report suspicious persons or activity to the Arcadia Police Department. Don't make judgments about what may or may not be a serious situation and don't assume that someone else has called the police. Calls to the Arcadia Police Department are taken by a dispatcher whose first job is to have uniformed police respond to the scene to assess the situation. The dispatcher will ask your name and address, and investigating officers may request to talk with you later. Information can also be given anonymously by submitting a tip through Crime Stoppers.

The Arcadia Police Department also encourages our business community to See Something, Say Something. For more information, please visit our Business Watch page.

Install a Professional Home Security System

Installing a home security system can be costly, but not installing one could cost you even more. Below are some of the Top Reasons to install a home security system or upgrade your existing home alarm system:

Protect Your Home and Family from Intruders

Protect Your Home and Family from Fires

Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Provide Your Family with Peace of Mind

Protect Your Valuables

Having Someone Else to Monitor Your Home

Save on Homeowners Insurance

Keep an Eye on Your Home Remotely

Get Medical Assistance When Needed

Reduce Energy Consumption in Your Home

Remember to register your security alarm with the City of Arcadia. Arcadia residents are required to install their private security system and obtain an annual permit. The Arcadia Police Department maintains a database of the number of security alarms active in the City, and contact information for both the current owner of the property and the alarm company. The annual permit fee is $40 and can be obtained online by visiting the Cry Wolf Website.

Internet and Online Safety

Today, people use the internet for many things on a daily basis. Below are some tips we'd like to share with you to help make your use of the internet safer for you and your children.

Cyber Safety Tips for Parents:

Keep the computer in a common area, such as the family or living room. This helps you monitor your child's computer use.

Spend time with your child online, and talk to them about their Internet use. Ask to see their profile page(s). Many children have more than one profile. Google your child's name.

Know your child's screen names and passwords. Ask your child to add you as a "friend" on his/her profile page.

Limit the information allowed in online profiles and make sure profiles are set to private.

Control access to chat rooms and Instant Messaging.

Monitor the sites they are visiting by clicking the internet browser's History button.

Teach children to avoid risky behavior, such as maintaining buddy lists that include strangers, flirting or discussing sex online with people they do not know in person, posting sexually suggestive material or being rude or mean to someone online.

Check what your friends are posting or saying about you. Even if you are careful, they may be putting you at risk.

Don't take, keep, or send nude or partial nude pictures of yourself or others. You could be prosecuted for creating or distributing child pornography if you possess or send nude or partial nude pictures of someone under the age of 18.

Don’t hang around online places where people could treat you badly.

The person may not be telling the truth about who they truly are.

Tell a trusted adult if someone does or says something online that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Don’t become an addict. The key to becoming the well-rounded and interesting person you want to be is to find a balance between your online experience and your social encounters.

Online Shopping:

Don't give your personal information unless you are absolutely sure that it is safe.

This means where possible, not giving out your full name, your address, your phone number, your credit card number, your tax file number, or information on your family and friends.

If you have to give a name to register or login to a forum or for some other online purpose, use a nickname or alias where possible.

Sometimes you'll want to give personal details, including your credit card number, for shopping on the net. This is OK, as long as the online seller is reputable and has secure shopping facilities.

Secure shopping means that they use secure servers which receive and store your personal information in encrypted form, so that if anyone intercepts your transaction, they won't be able to decode the data and get your details.

Secure site pages will have addresses starting with 'https' rather than 'http' (e.g. you might browse around their site on unsecured pages, and then when you are ready to make a purchase, you'll be switched to secured pages).

Using Public Computers:

Be careful using the internet for private communication (including shopping) on computers that are in public locations or used by other people.

On a public computer, other people might be able to view what you've been browsing or even retrieve your personal details after you have finished.

People you don't know could simply be watching over your shoulder (very dangerous if you are shopping online).

The computer could have a keystroke logger, which is a program that records what you type.

Use a combination of words, letters and symbols in your passwords - try to use at least 16 characters in a 'pass phrase', ie. a sentence rather than a word, to make it hard for someone to 'crack' your password with the help of a computer program. An example could be “I_walk_the_dog_at_4”. Come up with a password and then test it on Microsoft's password checker.

Chat Sites:

Chat sites or forums are OK if they are about sharing information about an everyday hobby or interest. It's best to avoid chats or forums which deal with people's personal issues or problems.

Always remember that you do not know most of the people, and they can be someone completely different online.

Never get into 'flaming' someone else on an online forum (ie. insulting them or getting into heated arguments) – you might find that it escalates into more serious harassment.

Be very careful if you want to meet someone you have met online. The person might not be who they say they are.

Plan to meet in a neutral place, like a cafe. Don't give out your full name or home address.

Larceny Prevention

People often leave their belongings unattended and realize they have been stolen as they are leaving establishments. Arcadia Police is encouraging residents to take the following precautions to protect their belongings to avoid becoming victims of larcenies:

While dining out, do not place your purse or jacket over the back of your chair. Keep your purse on your lap or between your feet with the handle around the leg of your chair or your foot.

Do not leave a cell phone, laptop, or tablet unattended on your table.

When shopping, do not leave your purse or wallet unattended.

At work, put your purse or wallet in a drawer. Do not leave it on or under a desk.

Always keep your purse closed.

Do not keep your Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) in your purse or wallet.

Keep a list of all credit and ID cards at home along with the card number and customer service phone number in the event you need to close the account due to theft.

Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention

Prevent Thefts from Your Motor Vehicle:

Roll up windows and lock all doors.

Park in well-lit areas.

Always be aware of the area you are parking in.

Hide all valuables out of view. If you can see them from outside the vehicle, so can thieves.

The trunk of your car is a great spot to place valuables.

Combat GPS thefts:

Remove the GPS unit and clip when you exit your vehicle.

If you must leave the unit in the car, be sure to hide both it and the clip or suction cup that holds it. Thieves see the clip and know there is a unit somewhere in the vehicle.

Frequently wipe your dash to remove tell-tale dust rings that are left by suction cup mounts. Replace the cover to the vehicle's power outlet when not in use.

Record the serial number and keep a copy in the glove compartment and with your other valuable papers at home to assist the police with recovery should your unit be stolen.

Own a Dog

When it comes to the safety of your family and your property, you’ll find that there is nothing more important in this world. Having a dog isn’t always just about having a pet to play fetch with or to cuddle up to at night, because the purchase of a well-trained protection dog can add an extra dimension to your security, allowing you to sleep that little bit easier at night.

No matter which breed you go for, dogs are known to improve the safety of their owners and also serve as a companion and loyal friend.

Be watchful and aware. Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with those around you and be observant of passing vehicles.

Don’t become distracted by talking on a cell phone or listening to an iPod/similar device.

Keep a whistle within reach. If threatened, use the whistle to signal residents for help. Yelling “Fire!” “Help!” or “Rape!” are ways of drawing attention and alerting people of your situation.

Hold your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon against an attacker.

Carry a cell phone and call ahead to your destination to alert them that you’re on the way. Make sure you’re expected at a certain time, so in the event you fail to show up, those expecting you will know enough to begin looking for you.

Walk with confidence. Don’t let anyone violate your space. Trust your instincts. Anyone at anytime can be a victim of crime so never assume, “IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME.”

If an unarmed attacker confronts you, believe in your ability to defend, distract, or even incapacitate the attacker enough to escape.

If you think that someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk towards an open store, restaurant or residence.

When parking, walking or returning to your car, travel in well-lit and populated areas.

When on the go, wear sneakers or shoes that allow for added mobility.

Program your Cellular Phone

From a cellular phone, the Arcadia Police Department can be reached at (626) 574-5123. Take time now to pre-program this number into your cellular phone. You can also dial 9-1-1 for any emergency situation.

It is also important to program a contact called ICE into your phone - this stands for In-Case-of-an-Emergency. Input the phone number for the person that should be called in the event you are involved in an emergency.

Residential Safety

In order to protect yourself and your belongings from housebreaks, Arcadia Police encourage you to follow the tips below:

Try “casing” your own home, at night and during the day. Attempt to gain access to your home when the doors and windows are locked and “secure.” Make sure you have some identification on you in case your neighbors call the police.

ALWAYS lock your doors and windows. Doors should be made from strong wood or metal and should be locked with a deadbolt. Install guards on windows that prevent them from being raised more than a few inches.

Leave a light on (perhaps on a timer) when you go away, even for the evening. Leave a television or radio on as well.

NEVER prop open the door or let someone in behind you if you live in an apartment building. If the building has a main entryway, make sure that security is enforced at the main door. Report residents who do this to your landlord.

Be vigilant . If you suspect suspicious activity around your home, your neighbors’ homes, or in your neighborhood, please report it to the police immediately by calling 626-574-5123.

Document serial numbers of all electronics and take pictures of all valuables. Keep this in a safe place to provide to the police in the event you are burglarized.

Street Safety Tips

Be aware of your surroundings at all times and trust your instincts. If you think you are in an area you should not be, you probably are.

Know where you're going and the safest way to get there, particularly when moving about the city during hours of darkness. Walk/run in well-traveled, well-lit areas avoiding short cuts through alleys and parking lots.

Have a plan of action in mind. Decide where you would go and what you would do should some dangerous situation occur. Know where the nearest police/fire station is located, how to contact the police in the event of an emergency, what establishments are open late where you could seek refuge if needed, etc.

Walk with confidence on the street and at a good, steady pace. Keep your head up, observe your surroundings, and don't look down at the ground.

Carry a whistle or similar type of noisemaker. In the event of an emergency, the sound may scare off a would-be attacker.

Take special care when jogging or biking. Vary your route, go with a friend, and avoid isolated areas.

Do NOT wear headphones or listen to music.These can distract you from being aware of your surroundings and who may be approaching you.

Keep purses and packages tucked securely between your arms and body. Don't overload yourself with packages and bags – it is distracting and it can make you look defenseless.

Carry only what you need. Don't carry a large amount of cash or numerous credit cards and avoid wearing flashy and excessive amounts of jewelry.

Exercise caution when using ATM machines. Only use ATMs located in well lit, well trafficked areas those physically located in stores are the safest.

If You are Being Followed:

Show you are suspicious and turn to look at the person. It sends a clear message that you will not be taken by surprise.

Change directions. If someone is following you on foot, cross the street and vary your pace. If the person following you is in a car, turn and walk in the opposite direction.

Go into the nearest store or public place. If the person follows you, ask to use (or find) a phone and call for help. If there isn't a store or public area nearby, keep moving. If you have to scream (or blow your whistle) to draw attention to your situation, do it.

If You are Robbed:

DO NOT RESIST, especially if you know or believe the robber to be armed. The best course of action is to hand over money and whatever other belongings are demanded as quickly as possible and try to disengage from this confrontational, and potentially dangerous. Remember, belongings can always be replaced, but you cannot.

Try to remain calm. Note the robber's appearance and report the crime immediately to the police.